Forced air cooling for display assemblies using centrifugal fans

ABSTRACT

Systems for forced air cooling of display assemblies are provided. An electronic display subassembly is located behind a cover and includes an interior channel. An open loop centrifugal fan is positioned at an intake or an exhaust and forces ambient air through an open loop pathway when activated. A closed loop airflow pathway encircles the electronic display subassembly. A closed loop centrifugal fan is positioned at a side channel and forces circulating gas through the closed loop airflow pathway. Electronic components for operating the display assembly are provided with the rear compartment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application makes no priority claim.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for cooling display assemblies using centrifugal fans to force air circulation.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The use of electronic displays for advertising in the out-of-home market has increased in popularity over recent years. Being located outdoors, such electronic displays are frequently exposed to harsh conditions, including but not limited to, solar loading, extreme temperatures, precipitation, moisture, contaminants, vandalism, wildlife, and the like. To protect the electronic displays and other components from such harsh conditions, it is known to place the electronic displays in fully or partially sealed housings. The harsh conditions and/or placement in such fully or partially sealed housings, may create a need to thermally manage the electronic displays. It is known to provide open and/or closed loop airflow pathways through such housings to control temperatures, thereby maintaining desirable operating conditions for the electronic displays and related components.

Traditionally, tube axial fans are used to force such cooling through these open and/or closed loop airflow pathways, though other types of fans such as centrifugal fans have been used. What is needed is an electronic display assembly which utilizes centrifugal fans to provide forced air cooling.

Electronic display assemblies which utilize centrifugal fans to provide forced air cooling are provided. Such centrifugal fans may be utilized in one or more open loop airflow pathways, one or more closed loop airflow pathways, some combination thereof, or the like.

The use of such centrifugal fans may provide several advantages. For example, without limitation, the design of such centrifugal fans may require that air be turned essentially 90 degrees during normal operation. Corners may be provided along the open and/or closed loop airflow pathways of display assemblies which normally provide areas of airflow resistance and/or turbulence. When deployed in such display assemblies, the centrifugal fan may be placed to essentially turn the air the 90 degrees otherwise required to complete a loop or pass through the housing. The use and engineered placement of centrifugal fans may therefore form a natural part of the open or closed loop airflow pathways and may improve airflow efficiency around such corners.

Additionally, or alternatively, such centrifugal fans may facilitate even distribution of air upon discharge. This may improve evenness of cooling, distribution, and/or airflow. For example, without limitation, the centrifugal fans may be provided without certain common shrouding components to facilitate such distribution.

As another example, without limitation, the centrifugal fans may reduce noise emission and/or utilize less power relative to other types of fans such as tube axial fans. As yet another example, without limitation, the centrifugal fans may provide the same or higher mass airflow rates for air. The use of such centrifugal fans may, for example, without limitation, result in increased homogenization of air. Such homogenization may lead to move even cooling and better temperature control of such display assemblies and related components. This may result in a reduction of the number of fans and/or the operating speed of such fans.

Further features and advantages of the systems and methods disclosed herein, as well as the structure and operation of various aspects of the present disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the drawings and exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several views refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary display assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the display assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the display assembly of FIG. 1 with certain components removed to illustrate other, internal components;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the display assembly of FIG. 3 with a rear cover removed to illustrate additional, internal components;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of another exemplary embodiment of the display assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6A is a side sectional view of the display assembly of FIG. 1 taken along section line A-A of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6B is a side section view of the display assembly of FIG. 6A with an exemplary flow velocity profile demonstrating exemplary open loop airflow;

FIG. 7A is a top sectional view of the display assembly of FIG. 1 taken along section line B-B of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7B is a side section view of the display assembly of FIG. 7A with an exemplary flow velocity profile demonstrating exemplary closed loop airflow;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of another exemplary display assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the display assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10A is a side sectional view of the display assembly of FIG. 8 taken along section line C-C of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10B is a detailed side section view of the display assembly of FIG. 10A taken from detail A of FIG. 10A with an exemplary flow velocity profile demonstrating exemplary open loop airflow;

FIG. 11A is a top sectional view of the display assembly of FIG. 8 taken along section line D-D of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11B is a side section view of the display assembly of FIG. 11A with an exemplary flow velocity profile demonstrating exemplary closed loop airflow;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of the display assembly of FIG. 8 with certain components removed to illustrate certain internal components;

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the display assembly of FIG. 8 with certain components removed to illustrate certain internal components; and

FIG. 14 is a detailed rear perspective view of the display assembly of FIG. 8 taken from detail A of FIG. 13 with an exemplary flow path profile for demonstrating exemplary closed loop airflow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, specific details such as detailed configuration and components are merely provided to assist the overall understanding of these embodiments of the present invention. Therefore, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments of the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

FIG. 1 through FIG. 7B illustrate an exemplary display assembly 10. The display assembly 10 may comprise a cover 12 (sometimes also referred to herein as a “front cover”). The cover 12 may comprise glass, acrylic, polymer, combinations thereof, or another material. In exemplary embodiments, the cover 12 may comprise multiple layers, though such is not required. The layers of the cover 12 may comprise, for example, without limitation, a polarizer (linear, circular, etc.), an anti-reflective film, an optical adhesive, some combination thereof, or the like.

The cover 12 may be located forward of, and/or may form a portion of, an electronic display subassembly 44. In exemplary embodiments, the electronic display subassembly 44 may comprise one or more display layers (which may comprise liquid crystals, though such is not required), one or more diffusion layers, a backlight (direct or edge lit), or the like. Any type of electronic display subassembly 44 may be utilized including, but not limited to, LCD, LED, OLED, cathode ray tube, plasma, some combination thereof, or the like. The electronic display subassembly 44 may be of any size, kind, or type. The electronic display subassembly 44 may be provided in any orientation, including, but not limited to, portrait and/or landscape. More than one electronic display subassembly 44 may be utilized. In such embodiments, more than one cover 12 may be utilized, though such is not required.

The cover 12 may be attached to a frame 14. In exemplary embodiments, the frame 14 may define a hollow, rectangular shape, though such is not required. The frame 14 may be configured for mounting to a ground surface (e.g., street, sidewalk, etc.), a structure 48 (e.g., wall, post, etc.), or the like.

The cover 12 may define a surface area at least as large as the electronic display subassembly 44. The cover 12 may extend parallel to said electronic display subassembly 44. A front gap 46 may be provided between the cover 12 and the electronic display subassembly 44. For example, the font gap 46 may be located between a rear surface of the cover 12 and the front surface of the electronic display subassembly 44.

A rear compartment 18 may be located rearward of the electronic display subassembly 44. The rear compartment 18 may be located between a rear cover 16 and the electronic display subassembly 44. In exemplary embodiments, the rear compartment 18 may be located between a forward surface of the rear cover 16 and a rear surface of the electronic display subassembly 44.

The rear compartment 18 may be in fluid communication with the front gap 46, such as by way of one or more side channels 30. In exemplary embodiments, a first side channel 30 may extend on a first side of the display assembly 10 and a second side channel 30 may extend on a second side of the display assembly 10 such that circulating gas may form a loop about at least a portion of the electronic display subassembly 44. The front gap 46, side channels 30, and rear compartment 18 may define a closed loop airflow pathway. The closed loop airflow pathway may encircle at least a portion of the electronic display subassembly 44, such as, but not limited to the display layer. The front gap 46, side channels 30, and rear compartment 18 may be entirely or substantially sealed to permit the continuous re-circulation of circulating gas, which may be substantially or entirely particulate free.

One or more electronic components 20 for operating the display assembly 10 may be located within the rear compartment 18. For example, the electronic components 20 may be located on the rear panel 16, the electronic display subassembly 44, or the like. Such electronic components 20 may comprise one or more processors, electronic storage devices, computing devices, network connectivity devices, computing devices, video players, power modules, combinations thereof, or the like.

One or more intakes 32 may be provided at the electronic display subassembly 44. The intakes 32 may be fluidly separated from the closed loop airflow pathway. The intakes 32 may be located above, or at least partially within but fluidly separated from, the rear compartment 18, though any location may be utilized. One or more exhausts 34 may be provided at the electronic display subassembly 44. The exhausts 34 may be fluidly separated from the closed loop airflow pathway. The exhausts 34 may be located below, or at least partially within but fluidly separated from, the rear compartment 18, though any location may be utilized. One or more interior channels 40 may extend between the intakes 32 and exhausts 34. In exemplary embodiments, the interior channels 40 extend along a rear surface of a backlight of the electronic display subassembly 44, though such is not required. The interior channels 40 may comprise corrugation 42. The intakes 32, exhausts 34, and interior channels 40 may define an open loop airflow pathway. The intakes 32, exhausts 34, and interior channels 40 may be configured to receive ambient air. A shroud 38 may be provided about some or all of the intakes 32 and/or exhausts 34 to fluidly seal the intakes 32 and/or exhausts 34 from the rear compartment 18.

One or more open loop fans 22 may be provided along the open loop pathway. In exemplary embodiments, the open loop fans 22 are located adjacent to each of the exhausts 34. Each of the open loop fans 22 may comprise centrifugal fans oriented such that the gas flow inlet is oriented interior to the display assembly 10, such as immediately adjacent to an exit of the interior channel 40, and a discharge of the open loop fans 22 is adjacent to an ambient environment. In this way, a substantially 90 degree turn naturally required between the interior channels 40 and the exhaust 34 may be performed by the open loop fans 22. Furthermore, the placement and/or orientation of the open loop fans 22 may provide a thinner display assembly 10.

One or more closed loop fans 24 may be provided along the closed loop airflow pathway. In exemplary embodiments, the closed loop fans 24 are located within the rear compartment 18. The closed loop fans 24 may be positioned adjacent to one of the side channels 30. Each of the closed loop fans 24 may comprise centrifugal fans oriented such that the gas flow inlet is oriented towards the front gap 46, such as along a right side of the display assembly 10 when viewed from the rear, and a discharge of the closed loop fans 24 is configured to blow the circulating gas along the rear compartment 18. In this way, a substantially 90 degree turn naturally required between the front gap 46 and the rear compartment 18 may be performed by the closed loop fans 24. Furthermore, the placement and/or orientation of the closed loop fans 24 may provide a thinner display assembly 10. The closed loop fans 24 may further provide increased distribution of air within at least the rear compartment 18. For example, without limitation, the closed loop fans 24 may be centrifugal fans provided without certain customary shrouding, which may increase the number of directions the discharged air is distributed.

Dividers 26 may be positioned between at least some, or all, of the closed loop fans 24, though such dividers 26 are not required. The dividers 26 may provide some direction for airflow distribution through the rear compartment 18. Optionally, airflow deflection elements 28 may be positioned on distal ends of the dividers 26 or otherwise adjacent to the discharge of the closed loop fans 24 to further control airflow. The airflow deflection elements 28 may comprise plates with various surface features, angles, holes, any combination thereof, or the like to direct airflow.

FIG. 8 through FIG. 14 illustrate another exemplary display assembly 110 in accordance with the present invention. The same or the similar features may be numbered similarly but increased by 100 (e.g., 10 to 110). The display assembly 110 may comprise one or more side assemblies 111. In exemplary embodiments, a first side assembly 111 is positioned opposite a second side assembly 111, though any number and arrangement of side assemblies 111 may be utilized. Each side assembly 111 may, in exemplary embodiments, comprise a cover 112, an electronic display subassembly 144, a front gap 146, an interior channel 140, corrugation 142, and side channels 130. Common or dedicated intakes 132 and exhausts 134 may be provided for the various side assemblies 111 and may form part of the open loop pathway(s) through the display assembly 110. In exemplary embodiments, common intakes 132 and dedicated exhausts 134 are utilized.

A common cavity 118 may be provided between two or more of the side assemblies 111 and may form part of a closed loop airflow pathway for each of the side assemblies 111. However, dedicated cavities 118 for each side assembly 111 may be utilized in other exemplary embodiments.

Electronic components 120 may be provided within the common cavity 118. For example, without limitation, such electronic components 120 may be provided at or along one or more of rear surfaces of the side assemblies 111. The common cavity 118, in exemplary embodiments, may be fluidly separated from ambient air. In this way, the electronic components 120 may be only exposed to circulating gas, which may be temperature controlled and/or kept substantially free of moisture, particulate, and/or other potential contaminants.

In exemplary embodiments, each side assembly 111 is moveably attached to a frame 114. Each of the open loop fans 122 are provided at or along an upper panel 113 at or along another panel of said frame 114. Said open loop fans 122 may be oriented such that a gas flow inlet faces upward to the ambient environment and a discharge portion is oriented to distribute ingested ambient air about the interior of the display assembly 10 for improved evenness of distribution to the side assemblies 111, as particularly illustrated with respect to FIG. 10B. In exemplary embodiments, the open loop fans 122 may comprise centrifugal fans lacking certain shrouding features such that air is partially or wholly distributed about the open loop fans 122 to provide more even distribution.

In exemplary embodiments, each of the closed loop fans 124 may be provided along a side panel 115 at or along said frame 114. Each of the closed loop fans 124 may be oriented such that the gas flow intake ingests air from the front gaps 146 of each of the side assemblies 111 and is discharged about the common cavity 118, as particularly illustrated with respect to FIGS. 11B and 14. In exemplary embodiments, the closed loop fans 124 may comprise centrifugal fans lacking certain shrouding features such that air is partially or wholly distributed about the closed loop fans 124 to provide more even distribution.

Examples of centrifugal fans shown and/or described herein may include, for example, without limitation, those provided by Sanyo Denki Co. Ltd. having a US office in Torrance, Calif. under the San Ace brand (https://products.sanyodenki.com/en/sanace/dc/centrifugal-fan/). Such centrifugal fans may be utilized in 150 mm, 133 mm, and/or 100 mm to name a few examples, without limitation. The centrifugal fans may be provided without some or all of the certain conventional shroud elements such that air is discharged about some or all of the fans. This may improve air distribution. As such centrifugal fans are interior to the display assembly 110, user safety may not be impacted by removing such shrouding elements.

Provided herein are certain exemplary test results from use of such centrifugal fans, as compared to axial fans within certain exemplary display assemblies 10, 100. Such centrifugal fans may be provided as open loop fans 22 and/or closed loop fans 24.

TABLE 1 Centrifugal Fan Results centrifugal content white Zone ft/ ft/ Area contributing contributing min min Zone (in2) area (in2) mass flow 470 1 28.27 7.0675 23.06753472 same 430 440 2 21.99 5.4975 16.79791667 as 9 430 450 3 15.71 3.9275 12.2734375 450 450 4 9.42 2.355 7.359375 450 450 5 3.14 3.14 9.8125 440 450 4 9.42 2.355 7.359375 430 450 3 15.71 3.9275 12.2734375 440 450 2 21.99 5.4975 17.1796875 445 470 1 28.27 7.0675 23.06753472 Zone ft/ ft/ Area contributing contributing min min Zone (in2) area (in2) mass flow 470 1 28.27 7.0675 23.06753472 same 415 415 2 21.99 5.4975 15.84348958 as 9 425 430 3 15.71 3.9275 11.72795139 430 430 4 9.42 2.355 7.032291667 435 440 5 3.14 3.14 9.594444444 440 450 4 9.42 2.355 7.359375 440 450 3 15.71 3.9275 12.2734375 440 460 2 21.99 5.4975 17.56145833 440 470 1 28.27 7.0675 23.06753472 Total 257 Centrifugal Mass Flow

TABLE 2 Axial Fan Results 92 content white Zone contributing contributing ft/min ft/min Zone Area (in2) area (in2) mass flow 460 1 28.27 7.0675 22.57673611 435 420 2 21.99 6.4975 16.034375 440 440 3 15.71 3.9275 12.00069444 460 450 4 9.42 2.355 7.359375 465 460 5 3.14 3.14 10.03055556 465 450 4 9.42 2.355 7.359375 460 460 3 15.71 3.9275 12.54618056 460 470 2 21.99 5.4975 17.94322917 450 460 1 28.27 7.0675 22.57673611 400 1 28.27 7.0675 19.63194444 440 450 2 21.99 5.4975 17.1796875 480 465 3 15.71 3.9275 12.68255208 480 460 4 9.42 2.355 7.522916667 475 460 5 3.14 3.14 10.03055556 460 430 4 9.42 2.355 7.032291667 420 410 3 15.71 3.9275 11.18246528 410 410 2 21.99 5.4975 15.65260417 400 400 1 28.27 7.0675 19.63194444 Total 92 249 Axial Mass Flow

As demonstrated from the above, better mass flow rate is achieved with the use of centrifugal fans. The use of such centrifugal fans also resulted in about four times less noise and about half the power usage as the axial fans. The presented testing results are for exemplary demonstration purposes and are in no way intended to be limiting.

In certain exemplary embodiments, electric vehicle charging equipment 150 may be provided at, or in association with, the display assemblies 10, 110. The electric vehicle charging equipment 150 in exemplary embodiments may be electrically connected to the same power source as used to power the display assembly 10, 110, which may include utility power, battery power, solar power, combinations thereof, or the like. The frame 114 may be adapted to accommodate the electrical vehicle charging equipment 150 such as, but not limited to, by way of a recess extending into a portion of the cavity 118 sized to accommodate the electric vehicle charging equipment 150 when in a stored position.

An additional equipment cavity 152 may be provided below, above, and/or adjacent to the side assemblies 111. Electronic components 120 may be provided within each of the additional equipment cavities 152. More than one additional equipment cavity 152 at more than one location may be provided.

Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the features of the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may practice the invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and modifications may be made to the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications will provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention. It is the intention, therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the claims.

Certain operations described herein may be performed by one or more electronic devices. Each electronic device may comprise one or more processors, electronic storage devices, executable software instructions, and the like configured to perform the operations described herein. The electronic devices may be general purpose computers or specialized computing devices. The electronic devices may comprise personal computers, smartphones, tablets, databases, servers, or the like. The electronic connections and transmissions described herein may be accomplished by wired or wireless means. The computerized hardware, software, components, systems, steps, methods, and/or processes described herein may serve to improve the speed of the computerized hardware, software, systems, steps, methods, and/or processes described herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A display assembly with forced air cooling, said display assembly comprising: an electronic display subassembly comprising a front surface, a rear surface, a first side edge, and a second side edge; an open loop pathway passing through an interior of said electronic display subassembly; a closed loop airflow pathway passing along said front surface, said rear surface, said first side edge, and said second side edge of said electronic display subassembly so as to encircle said electronic display subassembly; an open loop fan positioned along, and configured to force ambient air through, said open loop pathway when activated; a closed loop centrifugal fan positioned along said closed loop airflow pathway and configured to, when activated, turn circulating gas about at least one of said first side edge and said second side edge while said circulating gas is within said closed loop centrifugal fan; a front cover positioned in front of said electronic display subassembly; a rear cover positioned behind said electronic display subassembly; a front chamber located between said front cover and said electronic display subassembly; a rear chamber located between said electronic display subassembly and said rear cover; a first side channel extending between said front chamber and said rear chamber at a first side of said electronic display subassembly; and a second side channel extending between said front chamber and said rear chamber at a second side of said electronic display subassembly, wherein said closed loop airflow pathway comprises said front chamber, said rear chamber, said first side channel, and said second side channel.
 2. The display assembly of claim 1 wherein: said closed loop centrifugal fan is adjacent to said one or more of said first and second side channels.
 3. The display assembly of claim 2 wherein: said closed loop centrifugal fan is oriented such that a gas flow inlet is located adjacent to said one or more of said first and second side channels and a discharge is located within said rear chamber.
 4. The display assembly of claim 2 further comprising: an inlet located at an upper portion of said electronic display subassembly above said rear cover; an exhaust located at a lower portion of said electronic display subassembly below said rear cover; and said open loop fan comprises a centrifugal fan located at said exhaust.
 5. The display assembly of claim 1 wherein: said open loop pathway extends perpendicular to said closed loop airflow pathway.
 6. The display assembly of claim 1 further comprising: electronic components for operating the display assembly are positioned within said rear chamber.
 7. The display assembly of claim 1 wherein: said closed loop airflow pathway is fluidly separated from said open loop pathway. 